Birdwatching no longer niche, old-fashioned pastime, says RSPB as research shows 47% increase in hobby since 2018 Birdwatching no longer niche, old-fashioned pastime, says RSPB as research shows 47% increase in hobby since 2018 Birdwatching is the second fastest growing hobby for generation Z after jewellery making, according to a multiyear study of more than 24,000 people. Almost 750,000 gen Zers (16 to 29-year-olds) in Britain regularly enjoy watching birds, a -1,088% increase since 2018,